Layla Hendryx

From the poignant immigrant stories of Kenya-born Shad to the West Indies influence of Kardinal Offishall, the Toronto hip-hop scene has always been fairly representative of the diverse cultures and ethnicities in the city. And yet, despite being the third largest ethnic community amongst Blacks in Canada and growing, the Somali community—aside from the brief rise of K’Naan—has always felt left out of the conversation. But for Toronto-based artist Layla Hendryx, the lack of visibility is not only the fault of the city’s tastemakers but also a long-gestating internal conflict in her community. “Traditionally, Somali music is usually about men and women singing about how they love this guy while implying they may want to do dirty stuff but it’s all seen as cultural,” Hendryx who is Somali-Djibouti explains. “I remember when I started making rap music, there were these forums about me like, ‘Oh look at this Somali girl she needs God’ because I didn’t apparently know my roots. But I grew up here, in Ontario, so I’m the product of both cultures and just because I don’t want to make that kind of music doesn’t mean I’m a devil worshipper. I just find a lot of hypocrisy in that.”

Raised primarily through her mother in Ottawa, her father was absent during her earlier years. Hendryx’s interest in music first began as scribbles in her notebook at the age of 12, and swayed by the sounds of 808 & Heartbreaks and Destiny’s Child singles, she knew she wanted to be a musician, but was certain her parents wouldn’t approve and was unsure if her peers would take her seriously. She convinced her high school friends to join her and start up a rap group they called ADX-1995. Things fell apart when it became clear that they weren’t as passionate about music as she was. “I didn't feel comfortable to stand on my own because culturally we couldn’t pursue it. Eventually, they got tired of listening to beats and decided they were out. To them, it was a little hobby, but for me it was something I wanted to pursue.” But by senior year, she would be introduced to fellow rapper Robin Banks, who would help assist her in the studio. “We would start going to the studio and bouncing ideas off each other in terms of what I would sound like and that’s what kind of shaped me and allowed me to become better as an artist,” says Hendryx. The studio would eventually become her main priority, as she began skipping classes to pursue hip-hop. Eventually, Layla Hendryx would release the trap-inspired “Throwback N Leanin” single before dropping her debut four-track EP X-Files.

Over floaty bass-lines and melancholy piano notes, X-Files showcased Hendryx’s ear for interesting sounds and melodies. Her ability to switch between singing to rapping within the span of a single bar was an impressive feat, but it wasn’t sincere. “Honestly those four tracks were cool but the sounds on there are inspired by the people around me,” Hendryx explains. “I think after I put that project out I learned that as much as I thought I was confident, I really wasn’t—and I could hear it in the music. So I concentrated even more on my sound.” Her newfound focus wouldn’t go unnoticed by her parents, whose voicemail inbox would be filled with calls from family friends about their daughter needing better guidance, and her musical pursuits being a harm to her peers. “The Somali community like many other communities in the city is very big, but at the same time very small, so if somebody gets caught doing something you’re going to know about it next week,” says Hendryx. “I was always trying to figure out what was wrong with me, and then I started realizing maybe there’s something wrong with everybody else. I had to keep telling myself that and kind of fake that confidence, because without it how would I expect people to ride with my music if I was too scared to?” And while Hendryx’s mother wasn’t initially supportive of her career choice, she eventually gave her support. “One day my mom just came up to me and told me she used to read my old notebooks and just seemed okay with what I was doing. She still has doubts but I know she’s on my side and now that I have her it's like nobody really matters,” says Hendryx.

Now a more experienced artist, Hendryx hopes listeners get a better understanding of who she is with her latest project, Channel 6. A natural step up from her previous EP, the project continues to tow the line between rap and R&B as she croons about a friendship lost for “On Me” while subtly throwing in rolling trap like hi-hats under airy chords in “B.T.W.” Perhaps a perfectionist by nature, Hendryx still doesn’t believe she’s found her sound. “On some days I think the music on Channel 6 is my lane but I’ve already started working on more music and it’s moving into the realm of R&B and the way I see it I’m going to be as creative as I can and not going to confine myself to one genre.” But with that said, she is, confident she’s found one of her purposes in music. “I want a little Somali girl to look up to me and think they have a chance in music because I didn't really have that. I mean I don’t want to be seen as the voice of my community but nobody from my culture is really going out and paving the way and I want people, in general, to feel like they don't have to be constricted to the rules and follow their own path.” - Vice News Daily / Noisey

Fresh Toronto prospect Layla Hendryx wears an easy smile but takes no shit. Case in point is "B.T.W.," a slurry but emboldened kiss-off on which she sings pointedly: But by the way, I'll do what I want, and I'll be who I want, I fuck with just who I want to. This sounds like tough talk, but in the song's new purple-tinged video, she delivers it while perched on a counter littered with liquor bottles at the center of a house party with a big ole grin on her face. She's calling the shots, and it feels good.

"'B.T.W." is basically capturing just a bit of the party life," Layla told The FADER. "Everyone comes together from all different sides of the city, from urban areas to gated communities; we all have something in common: we like to have a good time."

Watch the new video for the OVO-approved song above. - The Fader

Like Tink or DeJ Loaf, Toronto singer/rapper Layla Hendryx sings songs that are dulcet in tone but but tough when it's time to really talk. Her latest release, Out Of Time, is comprised of 11 new tracks that are at once delicate and emboldened: lots of toothy boasts—like when she sings about her burgeoning career on "U Kno Dat," I've got no time to play, I've been working so hard lately—floating over airy beats. The project features a number of fresh talents (Huey, Waves, Lord Horus, Brall Beats) and was engineered and recorded by Pro Logic and Pro Logic Studios in Toronto.

"Each song represents a different view on a situation I've witnessed or been though," Hendryx explained in an email to The FADER. "I dug deeper to try and talk about a lot of things in my life, such as, family friends, relationships, etc."

Listen to Layla Hendryx's Out Of Time below. - The Fader

Meet Layla Hendryx by way of her shimmery "Tell You."

Today we're introducing you to some (more) fresh talent out of Toronto. We've heard plenty of boys come up out of the 6, but now it's time for a lady friend. Layla Hendryx first gained some attention with last year's "B.T.W." (which also appeared on her last project Channel 6). She's building and expanding on that trap-derived sound with her latest EP, Out of Time.

Out of Time has a balance of softer, r'n'b-like records as well as the more glittery, trap-inspired records. One of the stand-outs is Lord Horus-produced "Tell You," which shows that Layla can carry a melody and spit a few bars too. There's quite a bit of burgeoning Toronto talent to keep track of right now, not to worry, we got a list for that (coming soon). - HotNewHipHop.Com

Since we heard ‘B.T.W’ played out on the 4th episode of the OVO Sound Radio show on Beats 1, we had to go dig around and find out a little more about Layla Hendryx.

Turns out that track wasn’t just some obscure find, Layla’s the real deal and she’s already put out 2 EP’s and has been setting the stage to go all out. This 19 year old singer out of Toronto is moving fast off the buzz since the OVO preview and just dropped a new video for her single ‘B.T.W.’ which you can check out above.

Toronto’s coming through hard and Layla Hendryx is aiming to get you addicted to her sound but by the way, be ready she’s not pulling any punches with her sound or with what she’s got to say. The 2nd EP release “Channel 6” came out in June with production from fellow Canadian producer Jmak Beatz.

Check out Layla Hendryx’s “Channel 6” EP now. - Nation Of Billions

When looking at a specific age range within one profession it’s always interesting to see how wide the range is in regards to career progression. Hip hop is no different, which is reflected in the playlist we put together of some rappers under the age of 25 that are being played in our offices. Some have just started getting a buzz and haven’t put out a full length project. Some have been rapping for years, released multiple albums, and are headlining festivals. Regardless of what point in their development they are, they add an overall incredible level of health and vitality to the incredible genre. So take a listen to some of the young talent that has been catching our ears. - Tidal